In this session, Rachel will explore ageing and how we can support our brain with Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) a programme of fun and engaging activities and discussion, aimed at general enhancement of cognitive and social functioning. Also, Dr Jill McGarry (Sleep and the ageing brain) will highlight the new understandings we have about the importance of sleep and describe common age-related issues with getting enough shuteye, along with de-mystifying what sleep hygiene is/isn’t and what you can do to master a great night's sleep, especially in the later stages of life.
Rachel Turner – Memory Services Coordinator, Age UK Milton Keynes. Rachel has been facilitating Cognitive Maintenance Programmes via Age UK Milton Keynes.
Dr Jill McGarry - Consultant Clinical Psychologist who specialises in supporting people to improve their sleep. Jill runs a private practice called Sleep Better Doctor and has worked with several teams on sleep projects, including Manchester’s Sleep Service for MFT NHS Trust; perinatal mums with sleep problems at South Lancs NHS; Autistic & Learning Disabled people at Salford LD team, Seashell Trust and NHS England.
In the 'Ageing Well Public Talk series' we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in older age, also known as the 'Five Pillars of Ageing Well'. Ageing demonstrates most significantly when we reach a certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but ageing starts much sooner and the way ageing demonstrates when we are over 65 depends on decisions we have been making over our life span.
The series and related materials such as ‘The Five Pillars of Ageing Well’ became the cornerstones of further engagement with the public, specifically around COVID-19 and the relating self-isolation, which are now available on the OU website and the Internet.
The overall aim of these series of interventions is to facilitate a step change in user behaviour and support service provision. Self-management and becoming partner in our own health care is an important aspect of these talks. This may have a wider impact in healthcare economies, as ageing and related co-morbidities have a substantial health and economic burden footprint.
AWPTS is a highly adaptable tool for addressing also the needs of diverse groups requiring tailored interventions, for instance, heart failure and diabetes, where prevention and sustained self-management are crucial for improving quality of life. Since 2019, over 25,000 members of the public have engaged with the talks nationally, and the AWPTS portfolio of resources has engaged over 90,000 people globally; our regular feedback confirms that this intervention has increased knowledge of age-related processes, attitudes to health and wellbeing, confidence in self-management and lifestyle choices for healthy ageing among the public as well as practitioners, professionals, and clinicians who support ageing populations in their professional roles.
This event will be held on Zoom. The organiser will contact you with instructions on how to access the event.
For more information about the event or if you have any queries, please email WELS Research Events
All talks last between 60-90 min.